Legacy carrier Philippine Airlines has announced that it has canceled eight international flights to and from the United States and Canada scheduled between June 10 and 12.
“We regret that we have canceled the following flights to and from the USA and Canada. The government authorities are unable to give us an allocation for international arrival slots at Manila airport because of unavoidable constraints in quarantine processing capacity in Manila,” PAL said in its advisory Tuesday.
The affected flights were PR-102 and PR-103 (Manila – Los Angeles-Manila), PR-104 and PR-105 (Manila – San Francisco – Manila), and PR-116 and PR-117 (Manila-Vancouver-Manila), all scheduled on June 10; PR-126 (Manila-New York JFK) on June 11, and PR-127 (New York JFK-Manila) on June 12.
The airline management, however, said it plans to operate the following flights departing on June 11, 2020: PR-102 (Manila – Los Angeles) on June 11 and PR-103 Los Angeles – Cebu, in lieu of Manila, on June 11 (arrival date in Cebu is June 13).
“We are still working on arrangements for PR-103 to land in Cebu on June 13, and will announce this once confirmed,” it said.
PAL officials added that PR-103 passengers will be required to undergo the mandatory COVID-19 testing in Cebu instead of in Manila, and will be quarantined at a Cebu hotel accredited by the Department of Health until they receive a negative test result (usually within 24 to 48 hours of the test).
Once a negative test result is confirmed, PAL will fly them from Cebu to Manila free of charge.
The cost for the COVID tests and the quarantine hotel will be shouldered by the traveler, whether the tests and quarantine take place in Cebu or Manila.
“We seek the kind understanding of our passengers for these latest developments beyond our control. Please note that we may need to make further changes to our flight schedules, including cancellations or other adjustments, based on continually evolving controls, restrictions and entry requirements set by the concerned government authorities, who are focused primarily on promoting and protecting public health during these critical times,” the PAL management said.